Learning to feel comfortable with public speaking has a tremendously positive impact on students' school and future career success. In this second edition of his text for a high school or college level course, Michael Gallagher emphasizes speaking both as a life skill and as an exploration of competitive Speech and Debate events. The comprehensive, student-friendly guide to public speaking and debate is written specifically for the student, with additional notes for the teacher moved to a separate Teacher's Guide. More clearly organized, this second edition of the classroom text has a new section that addresses speaking across differences. This insightful chapter addresses both individual differences and communities in conflict, offering specific strategies to find common ground. The comprehensive, student-friendly guide to public speaking and debate is written specifically for the student, with additional notes for the teacher moved to a separate Teacher's Guide. More clearly organized, this second edition of the classroom text has a new section that addresses speaking across differences. This insightful chapter addresses both individual differences and communities in conflict, offering specific strategies to find common ground. The other five sections of the book introduce students to all aspects of public speaking and debate and include exercises and activities to make learning more effective across a broad array of topics.